WGV at White Gum Valley recognised for water excellence

LandCorp's revolutionary WGV estate has won the Urban Development Institute of Australia (WA) Urban Water Excellence award, recognising its significant achievements in water-sensitive planning and design.

The multi award-winning estate raises the bar for sustainable water use, with dramatic reductions in water consumption thanks to careful design, planning and construction.

WA land and infrastructure development agency LandCorp has been able to deliver an urban estate in which mains water use will be 60 per cent lower than in a typical development, with savings driven by the sustainable collection of irrigation water through use of a community bore and rainwater harvesting.

Long-term sustainable water use is also encouraged through smart dual-metering of properties, alerting residents to their mains water use and savings, while providing an early warning of any leaks or supply issues.

This data will be remotely monitored as part of a three-year funded research project being delivered via a partnership between LandCorp, Water Corporation, Department of Water, City of Fremantle, UDIA, the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities and consultants Josh Byrne & Associates.

Residents moving to the estate will also be able to access a sustainability package that includes a rainwater tank, while design guidelines require builders to install water-efficient appliance and fittings.

Landscaping initiatives include incorporating micro swales and vegetated basins to minimise stormwater runoff, while tree pits are used to retain water in root wells.

The many water saving initiatives incorporated in the estate saw it become the first development in WA to achieve the Water Corporation's Waterwise Development status.

LandCorp Chief Executive Frank Marra said measures implemented at WGV would significantly reduce mains water use while creating an attractive, leafy neighbourhood.

"Thoughtful planning and engagement with industry experts has meant this estate leads Western Australia for water-sensitive design," he said.

"This project places water use as a central consideration in a way that has not been done before and which sets a new benchmark for developments across Australia."